Gold Star Chili – Lexington, Kentucky

Updated onAugust 23, 2019April 2, 2020

Gold Star Chili began its life as Hamburger Heaven (1965) in Cincinnati, Ohio. The brothers who purchased Hamburger Heaven. perfected their Cincinnati-style chili and renamed their business Gold Star Chili.

I was a slow starter when it comes to chili. My family and friends know my Mom for making an incredible, slightly sweet chili with beans. I’ve never been a giant beans guy except for black beans, which were pretty much part of daily life in my Cuban household. I fell in love fast love the minute my taste buds ate beanless chili in my early 20s.

MY WIFE LIKEY

My wife Marcela and I were staying for a few nights in Lexington. There was a Gold Star Chili just a half block away that we drove by multiple times. It turns out that a few years earlier, my friend John and I had eaten at that same location. Marcela is a newbie when it comes to the awesomeness that is Cincinnati-style chili, so she was excited to try it out. She would not be disappointed.

On the lunch schedule, was the Cheese Coney (chili cheese dog), Chili (beanless as it should always be), Chili Cheese Fries, and a 4-Way with Onions. If you love their chili, you will love everything on the menu. If you don’t, then go elsewhere or update your palate.

WAYS EXPLANATION

Before I let you go, I should probably explain to you the Ways on the Gold Star Chili menu. The 3-Way is spaghetti topped with chili and shredded shoestring cheddar cheese. The 4-Way adds to the 3-Way with either beans or onions. The 5-Way comes all the way, aka spaghetti, topped with chili, shredded cheddar cheese, beans, and onions.

I’m a 4-Way kind of guy, but you know that by now.

P.S.: Some locations have a burger on the menu; unfortunately, this location did not.